In a Stanley Cup Final that has rapidly turned into a classic, the Edmonton Oilers staged one of the most improbable comebacks in NHL history, rallying from a 3-0 first-period deficit to defeat the Florida Panthers 5-4 in overtime on Thursday night and tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers’ playoff workhorse, cemented his legend with a historic fourth career overtime goal in the playoffs — an NHL record — firing home the winner 11:18 into the extra frame. His goal capped a wild Game 4 that saw everything from a furious second-period comeback to a last-second equalizer and a goaltending switch that changed the course of the game.
“We’ve been through a lot this postseason,” Draisaitl said. “But down 3-0 in the first and coming back like that? That’s special. We’re not done.”
Only six teams in Stanley Cup Final history had ever erased a three-goal deficit to win, the last coming in 2006. And no road team had done it since the 1919 Montreal Canadiens. Now, the 2025 Edmonton Oilers join that exclusive club.
The game looked all but lost after a blistering first period from the Panthers. Florida captain Matthew Tkachuk scored twice in the opening 15 minutes, and Anton Lundell added a dagger with just 41.7 seconds left in the frame. The Oilers looked stunned, trailing 3-0 with little sign of life.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch responded by pulling starter Stuart Skinner, who had allowed three goals on 17 shots. In came Calvin Pickard, the veteran backup who had been 6-0 in the playoffs before a recent injury. He would go on to stop 18 consecutive shots and serve as the backbone of Edmonton’s historic pushback.
Fueled by desperation and a packed Amerant Bank Arena crowd suddenly silenced, Edmonton turned the tables in the second period. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins got the rally started, followed by goals from defenseman Darnell Nurse and winger Vasily Podkolzin, knotting the game 3-3 by the second intermission.
The third period brought even more drama. With just under six minutes remaining, Jake Walman scored what seemed to be the game-winner for Edmonton, giving them a 4-3 lead. But the Panthers — resilient and relentless all postseason — answered back in the waning moments. Sam Reinhart buried the tying goal with 19.5 seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime for the third time in four games in this series.
After surviving a tense start to overtime, Pickard continued to make crucial saves, giving Edmonton a chance to win. Then, just past the halfway point of the extra session, Draisaitl found space and buried a wrist shot to seal the comeback and send the series back to Alberta tied at two.
“He’s a gamer,” said Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who assisted on the winner. “He’s been through a lot in these playoffs, but when it matters, Leon’s there. That’s who he is.”
With the series now a best-of-three, momentum swings back to Edmonton for Game 5 on Saturday night. The Oilers, who lost to the Panthers in last year’s Final, now have a chance to flip the script in front of their home crowd.
For Florida, the missed opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead stings — but they remain confident.
“We’ve been in these battles before,” said Tkachuk. “We’ll regroup. This isn’t over.”
Neither team is backing down in what is shaping up to be a memorable Stanley Cup Final. After four intense games — three of them needing overtime — the Oilers and Panthers have proven they’re evenly matched and built for the spotlight.
Game 5 promises more fireworks as this heavyweight duel continues.
